Faculty Publications
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Item Maximum Aerobic Capacity and Relative Aerobic Strain among Mobile Mine Equipment Operators in Underground Mines(Springer, 2023) Sridhar, S.; Raj, M.G.; Mangalpady, M.The maximum aerobic capacity and relative aerobic strain could be employed as indicators to establish a balance between work and individuals. Unfortunately, information about the physiological demands of mobile mine equipment operators working in underground mines is nearly nonexistent. The present research aimed to determine the maximum aerobic capacity and relative aerobic strain of the mobile mine equipment operators and assess their relationship with their age and body mass index. Forty operators involved in transporting ore, overburden, mine personnel, explosives, repair material, etc., were examined. The maximum aerobic capacity was determined indirectly using the heart rate of the operators. The mean aerobic capacity of the operators was 38.75 mL/kg/min, and the lowest mean aerobic capacity was found in LHD operators, 37.98 ± 3.93 mL/kg/min. The maximum aerobic capacity was negatively correlated with age and body mass index. Eleven out of 40 operators had relative aerobic strain exceeding 50% of the maximum aerobic capacity. The mean relative aerobic strain was 46.9 ± 5.54, and the highest mean relative aerobic strain of 49.37 ± 5.55 was found among LHD operators. The relative aerobic strain had a positive correlation with age and BMI. Knowing the operators’ maximal capacities while executing their tasks could be crucial in assessing the physiological demands of individuals working in underground mines in terms of acceptable work constraints. © 2022, The Institution of Engineers (India).Item Development of a Novel Real-Time Environmental Parameters Monitoring System Based on the Internet of Things with LoRa Modules in Underground Mines(Springer, 2023) Kumar Reddy, S.K.; Naik, A.S.; Raj, M.G.The mining industry relies on extracting valuable minerals through underground mining. Many industries have implemented automation to enhance workplace safety, optimize operations, improve responses to events, and achieve cost-effectiveness. A real-time communication and monitoring system is indispensable in underground mines to prevent significant hazards and improve safety in underground mines. However, the environmental conditions of underground mines are affected by toxic, flammable, combustible gases and dust. The harmful gases are a significant concern as they can cause gas explosions. Internet of Things (IoT) enabled real-time communication system with Long Range (LoRa) transceiver module is designed and developed to measure the underground mine environmental parameters, temperature, and humidity. The LoRa-based proof of concept (POC) system is tested and evaluated at the surface level and in two underground mines. The LoRa module radio waves range test is carried out to measure the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value at the surface level. In addition, the developed system is tested and evaluated at different positions of underground mines to measure environmental parameters in straight and curved tunnels. The experimental results represent successful IoT with LoRa-based wireless communication between underground mine tunnels to the surface, wireless transmission of parameters at the straight tunnels, and curved tunnels of underground mines. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2024.Item RTEPMS: Real-Time Environmental Parameters Monitoring System Using IoT-Based LoRa 868-MHz Wireless Communication Technology in Underground Mines(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2024) Naik, A.S.; Kumar Reddy, S.K.; Raj, M.G.In underground mining, the real-time monitoring of environmental parameters plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of mining operations and personnel. This article explores the integration of Long Range (LoRa) wireless communication technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) to bolster safety measures and prevent potential accidents within underground mines. The environmental parameters in underground mines include Oxygen (O2), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Methane (CH4), Nitric Oxide (NO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), Ethylene Oxide (EO), Temperature and Humidity. Currently, underground mines in India use portable multi-gas detector devices to measure environmental parameters. HPD13A LoRa 868 MHz based Real Time Environmental Parameters Monitoring System (RTEPMS) is designed and developed to facilitate real-time data collection in underground mines. In addition, the developed RTEPMS system is tested and evaluated at the open surface level and in one of the underground mines in India. The experimental results represent successful LoRa-based wireless communication established in an underground mine with data acquisition and real-time processing. Major parameters exceeding threshold limits in the underground mine environment include O2, CO, CO2, NO2, and EO. The data correlation between LoRa-based RTEPMS and multi-gas detector devices is 69.47% for CO2 and 72.38% for CO, while the values for CH4 and H2S are nearly zero, indicating their presence in underground mines is almost negligible. The RTEPMS is an affordable solution for smaller and less affluent underground mines. It alerts mine workers if environmental parameters exceed threshold limits during emergencies. © 2013 IEEE.